On Friday I ventured out into the land of retail and before noon sales to see if there were any goodies worth snagging.

 

I went to the King of all toys stores-- Toys R Us - with my little UA Princess leaving the boys behind to help dad hang the christmas lights.  I came across some good deals, and saw a remote controlled motorcycle (very large and bulky) that my boys had seen a neighbor playing with and had longed for.  They were half price so I bought one for each boy. 

 

When I snuck home I quickly carried them upstairs to our walk-in closet (with some other toys) because they were so bulky and I needed DH to put them in the attic.  I told the boys casually that they couldnt go into our closet because mommy had made a mess and left it at that.  Larry later said Nik saw the toys.  I said how do you know- and he said Nik had told him.  So L hid them away the next morning. 

 

Later Nik and my conversation went something like this: (looking in the closet together)

 

Nik "Mom, there were toys in here." (saying it matter of fact)

 

I said " where.. in the closet?" (surprised)

 

Nik said "yes- there was a MOTORCYCLE" (Joy and amazement)

 

I said "a motorcycel?  Why would there be a motorcycle in the closet?"

 

Nik "I don't know but I saw it!"

 

Me:  "I don't see one.  Well it is gone now if there was."

 

Nik:  "maybe I was dreaming"

 

Me:  "Maybe honey you were."

So at work they had a list during our Thanksgiving feast asking what are you thankful for?

 

Now personally I have lots I am thankful for.

 

We can go with the obvious /or easy out /or cliche- cmon we are all thankful for LIFE that is a given /or another day.  So I thought I would step outside a bit.  Here is what I am thankful for (what I wrote at work):

 

The Gift of Adoption:  Well perhaps to those at work it meant a big (question mark)????

 

But for those who read my blog I hope it means something.  To me it means a big thank you!!! a big TY to Ukraine for opening your doors  to adopt your coutries children.   It means thank you USA for allowing us to adopt a child from wherever or from whomever that is willing.  It means thank you all birthmothers for knowing there is family crying the tears you cry for your heartbreak and selflessness; and thanking God for you. 

It means so much for those that wish upon a star in hopes that one day they will soon hold their child somewhere and somehow.

 

My beautiful children and husband:  Need I say more!

 

My warm bed:  What did I always miss most away from home- my bed and pillows.  It is comfort- it is your sanctuary for 8-10hours per day.  How can you not miss it? 

 

But in the same way it represents our home comforts it also represents so much more...

 

It is a bed- few people in the world have one. 

 

It is warm- that means I have covers-most do not. 

 

It is my bed- my children did not HAVE their own bed just a place to move from as younger kids came in.  Was it warm- probably stifling hot in the summer with flies and mosquitoes and unbearably cold in the winters with no socks and one blanket and frosty windows.

 

Yes I am thankful for my warm bed and pillows for I am at home and alive and in the place I love the most

With my children

With my husband

With my dogs

and a warm safe bed

 

Blessings

Leanna

What a fun weekend!  The best part was having some fun with friends at the Ohio State VS Michigan party.  THe kids all dressed in their OSU gear and ventured out to see many of our friends for the first time since O came home  ( we really need to get out more ;)

 

Enjoy our OSU vs Michigan pics..  Go BUCKEYES YEAH!

Well I have begun to prepare for Thanksgiving this year at my house.  So I spent last night cleaning out some of the China cabinet. I plan on having all of the big stuff done early so that I don't spend next Wednesday with too much to do! 

 

I also started to make a list of what foods we will probably have:

Turkey/gravey

Dressing

mashed p

g.bean casserole

Brocolli casserole (grandmothers recipe)

some sort of jello mix

rolls

 

That is all I have for now.  I feel like I am missing something- any suggestions? (PS no yams)  Also any ideas on a jello type fruity thing?

well we finally got our new digital camera so you must bear with me as I post more pictures of my too cute kids!

 

Vitaly got his new glasses so there is a before and after with him ( by the way only $58.00 at Walmart compared to $125.00 at pennys)

 

Then there is my Nikolai (aka supermodel) posing.  Funny story about Nik- I went to a parent /teacher conference on Friday) and this is what happened.  Teachers here is a picture nik made that was "anatomically" correct.  As I looked at the picture I noticed the boys had a second "stick" figure between their legs.  I said is that a p..e..nis?  The teachers laughed and said we dont ask!  Well at least my kid is aware of his body.

 

So much for our Bengals but at least the Buckeyes are still number one!  Hey Amy we will see how that winning streak is in December - wink wink. As my DH sulked I reminded him that football is not the end all just a glitch of fun especially when you have three shining stars.  Enjoy our new pics  entitled nov 2006

 

Why it is nice to work for the government.....( in three words)

 

Veterans Day Holiday! 

I got this from a friend awhile back.  It is an oldie but a goodie.  I can definitely relate to the part about being at work and missing your kids; seeing your spouse in their role as a dad; and letting my boys go into a men's bathroom alone.  That is always a toughie for me!

Being A Mom (author unknown)

We are sitting at lunch one day when my daughter  casually mentions that she and her husband are
 thinking of "starting a family."

 "We're taking a survey," she says half-joking. "Do you  think I should have a baby?" "It will change your
 life," I say, carefully keeping my tone  neutral.

 "I know," she says, "no more sleeping in on weekends,  no more spontaneous vacations."
 
But that is not what I meant at all. I look at my  daughter, trying to decide what to tell her. I want
 her to know what she will never learn in childbirth classes.
 
I want to tell her that the physical wounds of child  bearing will heal, but becoming a mother will leave
 her with an emotional wound so raw that she will  forever be vulnerable. I consider warning her that she
 will never  again read a newspaper without asking, "What if that had been MY child?"

 That every plane crash, every house fire will haunt  her. That when she sees pictures of starving children,
 she will wonder if anything could be worse than  watching your child die.
 
I look at her carefully manicured nails and stylish suit and think that no matter how sophisticated she
is, becoming a mother will reduce her to the primitive level of a bear protecting her cub. That an urgent
 call of "Mom!" will cause her to drop a soufflé or her best crystal without a moment's hesitation.

 I feel that I should warn her that no matter how many years she has invested in her career, she will be
professionally derailed by motherhood. She might arrange for childcare, but one day shewill be going into an important business meeting and she will  think of  her baby's sweet smell. She will have to use every ounce of  discipline  to keep from running home, just to make sure her baby is all  right.

I want my daughter to know that every day decisions  will no longer be routine. That a five year old boy's
 desire to go to the men's room rather than the women's at McDonald's will become a major dilemma. That right
 there, in the midst of clattering trays and screaming children, issues of independence and gender identity
 will be weighed against the prospect that a child  molester may be lurking in that restroom.

 However decisive she may be at the office, she will second-guess herself constantly as a mother. Looking at my attractive daughter, I
want to  assure her that eventually she will shed the pounds of pregnancy, but she will never feel the same about herself.

That her life, now so important, will be of less value  to her once she has a child. That she would give
herself up in a moment to save her offspring, but will also begin to hope for more years, not to accomplish
 her own dreams, but to watch her child accomplish theirs.
 
I want her to know that a cesarean scar or shiny  stretch marks will become badges of honor. My daughter's relationship with her husband will  change, and not in the way she thinks. I wish she could understand how much more you can love a man who  is careful to powder the baby or who never hesitates  to play with his child. I think she should know that  she will fall in love with him again for reasons she
 would now find very unromantic.

I wish my daughter  could sense the bond she will feel with women  throughout history who have tried to stop war, prejudice and drunk driving.

 I want to describe to my daughter the exhilaration of seeing your child learn to ride a bike. I want to  capture for her the belly laugh of a baby who is  touching the soft fur of a dog or cat for the first  time. I want her to taste the joy that is so real it
 actually hurts.
 
My daughter's quizzical look makes me realize that  tears have formed in my eyes. "You'll never regret
 it," I finally say. Then I reached across the table,  squeezed my daughter's hand and offered a silent
 prayer for her, and for me, and for all the mere  mortal women who stumble their way into this most
 wonderful of callings.

Sometimes we look back and wonder what did I do over the weekend?

 

Well on Friday at work, I went to a seminar regarding managing your time with a system.  I sat there and wondered is life really about managing your time with a system, or about living?  All I can say is after seeing my mother suddenly die early, heck she never planned that in her calander, I am only about living. 

Time management well that is for the President, or others that have asked for the same, just not for me. 

 Instead I think I will live today in the moment even if it means sitting down and watching OSU football, or just taking a nap.

 

Maybe my fun in life is different from others but spending the weekend walking my dogs, doing laundry, hanging with my kids, and cooking meals is what I need.  I dont need to plan it or arrow it to tommorow; as that is so contrived. 

 

 I just want to know after each day is over that I feel happy.  I dont want 3-400pm to be for reorganizing a closet in my planner: when I have a son that wants a book or a bike ride.

 

That is what managing your time should do.  Taking the best care of you and your family and forget the clock!